Lightning GT
| Lightning GT | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Lightning Car Company |
| Production | 2020-present |
| Designer | Chris Longmore, Drive Design[1] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-seat coupé |
| Layout | Rear motor, rear-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Electric motor | Two 150 kW (201.2 hp) onboard (rear mounted) synchronous motors |
| Transmission | 5.5:1 reduction ratio, electronic differential, rear wheel drive |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,590 mm (102.0 in) |
| Length | 4,445 mm (175.0 in) |
| Width | 1,940 mm (76.4 in) |
| Height | 1,200 mm (47.2 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,850 kg (4,079 lb) |
The Lightning GT is a battery-electric sports car under development by the Lightning Car Company, a London-based privately owned and funded business.
The project was initially unveiled to the public in July 2008 at the British International Motor Show,[2] with deliveries originally expected in 2009,[3] but sales to the public have been put back due to 2020. Lightning is believed to be in talks with a major continental partner whose technology will help bring the car to production.[citation needed]
The GT was displayed at the 2014 Low Carbon Vehicle Event with Magtec.[4]
Technical details
The car is powered by twin rear-mounted synchronous motors, driving through independent reduction gearboxes under electronic torque control. The powertrain system is sourced from MAGTEC, the leading UK powertrain manufacturer, providing rear-wheel drive and a peak power output capability of 300 kW (408 PS; 402 bhp). with 4000 Nm of torque available at the wheels.[5]
The Lightning GT accelerates to 97 km/h (60 mph) in less than 4 seconds and is geared for over 300 km/h (185 mph). Its body will be made from carbon fibre and the chassis from a honeycomb aluminium structure. This unique H chassis will also house the battery modules which when integrated add massive torsional and beam strength. Final assembly location has yet to be determined.
A small amount of the development of the GT was assisted with a grant from the UK Government's Technical Strategy Board,[6] as part of the EEMS Consortium. The Lightning GT development car excelled as a part of this consortium with 100% drivetrain and battery reliability over a full years monitored testing. The GT covered more miles[when?] than the rest of the consortium combined.[citation needed]
Battery
The standard battery specification includes two 22 kWh Altairnano lithium-titanate battery pack 'strings'. The 9 kW standard onboard charger can fully recharge the batteries in five hours from a dedicated 32amp wired socket[clarification needed] or 12 hours from any standard socket.[clarification needed] An optional on-board charger connected to a suitable dedicated domestic power source can recharge the car from zero in 2.5 hours. A full charge will give the vehicle a 'usable' mixed use range of over 322 km (200 miles). Lightning are developing further battery combinations to take the range further on a standard pack. A range extender option is being developed which will enable significantly longer journeys.
See also
References
- ^ "The Hidden Work of Design Consultancies". Car Design News. 13 October 2008. Archived from the original on 15 November 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- ^ "Lightning strikes Tesla at London motor show". Cnet. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- ^ "The green sports car with added vroom-vroom". The Guardian. 9 July 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- ^ "Lightning Car Company". Magic. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Performance". Lightning Car Company. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ "Lightning plans more electric cars". Autocar. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
External links
